Memphis VA shuts down operating room for two days

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MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Patients go in and out of the Memphis VA Medical Center Wednesday, and it looks like business as usual.

Bruce Lynn is back for a follow up. He recently had surgery on his hand.

"They fixed it where I can make these two move again, it all seemed to go a lot better," said Lynn.

However, no surgeries are taking place at the Memphis VA now.

WREG obtained a picture an employee says is posted inside the hospital. It partially reads "This area is closed."

After WREG asked, the VA confirmed its operating room is closed Wednesday and Thursday.

A media advisory says the closure is for "training exercises in communication and process improvement."

The VA says the OR is still available for emergencies, but all elective surgeries were rescheduled.

The News Channel 3 Investigators asked the VA how often it closes down the entire OR for training, and spokesperson Willie Logan said it tries to do such training every two months in various areas of the hospital.

She said the last time the OR had such training was four years ago.

Lynn said he's been coming to the Memphis VA for years, and today was the first he'd heard of the OR being closed.

"The whole thing's closed?" Lynn asked.

WREG responded, "That's what we've been told — for training and process improvement."